WIST

McCarthy invented the Multiple Lie — the lie with so many tiny gears and fragile connecting rods that reason exhausted itself in the effort to combat it.

Richard H. Rovere (1915-1979) American journalist
“The Frivolous Demagogue,” Esquire (Jun 1958)
On Senator Joseph McCarthy.

He stamped with his name a tendency, a whole cluster of tendencies in American life. The name survives. To many Americans, whatever is illiberal, anti-intellectual, repressive, reactionary, totalitarian or merely swinish will hereafter be McCarthyism. The word is imprecise, but it conveys a meaning and a powerful image.

Richard H. Rovere (1915-1979) American journalist
“The Frivolous Demagogue,” Esquire (Jun 1958)
On Senator Joseph R McCarthy.